Dress for Less plans two area stores

MARKET BASKET:

One location to be on Grape, other on Ireland.

March 10, 2013|Heidi Prescott | Market Basket

South Bend Tribune/GREG SWIERCZ

A national retail company is entering our market with not just one but two stores.

Ross Dress for Less is planning to open stores on both Grape Road in Mishawaka and Ireland Road in South Bend. These stores will feature off-price, name-brand apparel, accessories and footwear for the family.

Announcing two locations at the same time is unusual, considering many chain stores and restaurants select the Grape Road corridor for a first location before considering an expansion.

But it is not completely unexpected or surprising based on three local factors: the availability of existing space, leasing rates, and the proximity of the competition.

Dress for Less plans to renovate the former Linens 'N Things store across from University Park Mall and the former Circuit City space at Erskine Village.

Each store will comprise about 28,000 square feet.

In addition to similar sizes, both locations will be very close to TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores, which are among its main national competitors.

Shoppers will find new products marked down from standard retail prices at off-price retailers like these. Burlington Coat Factory is another favorite for discount shoppers who like the "thrill of the hunt" in these stores.

A tentative early 2014 opening is planned for the Mishawaka store. Check back for more information about the new South Bend store opening.

"This will be a great addition to the retail offerings in our market," says Autumn Psaros, senior associate with CB Richard Ellis-Bradley in South Bend.

Psaros is the leasing agent for the Mishawaka plaza where Dress for Less will open, near Michael's Arts & Crafts and Best Buy.

This is the beginning of the new Indiana store roll-out, with Ross Dress for Less opening its first Indiana location in July in Merrillville.

Dress for Less does not operate any stores in Michigan.

Area commercial real estate brokers have been reporting increased activity for the past year or so. That activity is culminating in new leases, renovations and openings -- especially in the restaurant sector.

"As the economy continues to pick up steam and retailers are looking at rolling out stores, we're in the mix," Mehall continues. "There aren't many retailers that are building new product right now, but lease rates are still attractive."

Yats will bring Cajun restaurant to S.B.

An Indianapolis-based Cajun restaurant company is planning a new South Bend location.

While a specific site has not yet been announced, the company recently said that it will open a company-owned location near the University of Notre Dame.

The Yats concept is interesting and pretty basic.

Customers order at the counter from a chalkboard menu. A daily menu of between seven and 10 dishes is offered. And there are only two prices at its Indy-area restaurants: $6.25 for a regular size entree, or $7.25 for a combination.

There are no printed menus and no wait staff. Check back for more information.

Tilly's plans store

Tilly's is coming to University Park Mall.

The upcoming Mishawaka store, which was revealed in a St. Joseph County commercial activity report, will be just the third location in Indiana, according to the retailer's website.

Tilly's is a specialty retailer that features clothing, shoes and accessories from the top players in the surf, skate, motocross and lifestyle apparel industries.

Have you heard?

The Martin's Super Markets renovation that is now under way at 2081 South Bend Ave., South Bend, is valued at $2.4 million, according to a St. Joseph County commercial construction activity report. The project includes interior remodeling and an additional 2,688-square-foot mezzanine, the report reveals. Martin's officials have said they do not have additional information to release at this time. ... Wings, Etc. recently purchased Rival's Sports Den, 11480 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Interior renovations have been ongoing, but the final changes were expected this weekend, including new signage and the Wings, Etc. menu. ... Join our next live chat at 1 p.m. Tuesday at www.southbendtribune.com.

Heidi Prescott's column runs on Fridays and Sundays. When she's not shopping, contact her at hprescott@sbtinfo.com or 574-235-6070. You can also talk retail at Facebook.com/thebasket and at Twitter.com/marketbasket. Hear her reports weekdays at 8:52 a.m. with JT in the Morning on News and Sports Radio 960 AM and 96.1 FM WSBT.